Ticket-Based Harvest Tracking System for Real-Time Accountability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack comprehensive and real-time tracking and accountability in agricultural, forestry, and mining operations, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in harvest and distribution processes, which affects transparency and profitability for stakeholders.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system that integrates with existing infrastructure to record and track data through manual or automated data ticket processing, capturing key activities from field to delivery, including weights, quality, and transportation, using handheld devices and beacons for automatic ticket generation, ensuring real-time reconciliation and accountability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual or automated data ticket processing is implemented, then tracking precision and accountability are improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments tracking into discrete ticket types (field tickets, storage tickets, processing tickets, delivery tickets) that can be independently generated and processed. Each ticket represents a specific event in the harvest lifecycle, allowing precise tracking without requiring a completely complex integrated system. This segmentation enables modular implementation where facilities can adopt ticket-based tracking incrementally.
Solution Approach 2:
The ticket-based system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a tracking record, an accountability document, a data collection tool, and a reconciliation mechanism. A single ticket structure can accommodate various harvest events (field operations, storage transfers, processing, delivery) by adjusting the data fields, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each function.
2Loss of information
If real-time tracking and reconciliation are implemented, then transparency and accountability are improved, but loss of time for data processing and system maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires data to be captured and ticketed at the point of occurrence (field, storage, processing, delivery) rather than retrospectively. This preliminary action ensures information is recorded in real-time as events happen, maintaining transparency without requiring subsequent data collection efforts. The ticket is created immediately when the harvest event occurs, eliminating delayed data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated ticket generation and reconciliation where the data speaks for itself. Tickets contain all necessary information to track and reconcile harvest activities without requiring manual intervention for verification. The reconciliation process automatically compares ticket data across the supply chain, reducing the time investment needed for manual auditing and verification.
3Productivity
If comprehensive harvest lifecycle tracking is implemented, then productivity and accountability are improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harvest lifecycle is divided into distinct phases (field operations, storage, processing, delivery) with corresponding ticket types for each phase. This segmentation allows operators to focus on simple, repeatable actions for each phase rather than managing a monolithic complex system. Each ticket type has a standardized format that becomes routine with practice, improving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The ticket serves as an intermediary document that standardizes information exchange between different facilities and operations. Rather than requiring direct complex integration between all system components, the ticket acts as a universal mediator that carries standardized data between field operations, storage facilities, processing plants, and delivery points, simplifying inter-operational coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is presented for gathering data concerning harvests. Data tickets are generated at a point of origination (i.e., the field), local storage, processing, or a customer location. Data tickets may also be generated for supplies delivered to the field. Implements attached to a vehicle in the field (e.g., a tractor) may provide data over a vehicle communication bus about how a field processing task was performed. Data may be extracted from the bus to use in preparing a field processing ticket, possibly in combination with manual entry from field personnel. A harvest data tracking system, based on data tickets, may be used to track the complete life cycle of crop production.